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Potential for RAID in the Home is Quite High, IDC Predicts (16/2/2005)

Redundant Array of Inexpensive (or "Independent") Disks (RAID) is likely to be the next technology that system OEMs will integrate into their products to provide consumers with assured data protection, IDC believes.

Many multiple-PC homes now have networks and leverage PCs and hard disk drives (HDD) to store digital music, photos, and movies. However, recovery for digital media versions of one-time personal events is not possible - if not backed up or protected by some means. This situation calls for a new level of data protection for the typical consumer.

"We see RAID following the trends of other technologies that began in businesses and migrated to consumers." said John Buttress, research manager of Hard Disk Drives at IDC. "RAID will be widely adopted in the home, and many of the steps required to integrate the technology are complete. However, some issues still remain for the technology to be ready for the mass market."

Among key findings discussed in this study are the following:

* RAID must be marketed as a solution * User friendliness and service issues must be addressed for consumers * Cost must continue to decrease to support mass adoption * Potential market opportunities exists for hardware, software and services vendors

This IDC technology assessment study, RAIDing the Home (IDC #32824) contemplates the adoption of RAID in the home and answers the following questions: What is required for mass adoption? When will the market materialize? What are the best strategies?

www.idc.com